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Reuters
High Definition cameras "map" faces in a crowd and compare them to existing images.
Lawmakers in San Francisco voted in favor of the ban on facial recognition, America's first city to do so.
Emerging technology will not be allowed to be used by local agencies such as city transport authorities or law enforcement agencies.
In addition, any project to purchase any new surveillance technology must now be approved by city administrators.
Opponents said it would put people's safety at risk and hinder efforts to fight crime.
Proponents of the movement said that technology as it exists today is unreliable and an unnecessary intrusion on privacy and personal freedom.
In particular, opponents argued that systems are prone to errors, particularly when it comes to women or people with darker skin.
"With this vote, San Francisco said that facial surveillance technology was incompatible with a healthy democracy and that locals deserved a voice in advanced surveillance decisions," said Matt Cagle of the American Civil Liberties Union, in northern California.
"We congratulate the city for listening to the community and for leading the way with this crucial legislation, and other cities should take note and put in place similar safeguards to protect the security and civil rights of the people. people."
The vote was passed 8-1 by San Francisco supervisors, with two absentees. The measure should be officially adopted in municipal legislation after a second vote next week.
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Getty Images
The movement angered activists who said technology would help fight crime
"Instead of a total ban, we think that a moratorium would have been more appropriate," said Joel Engardio, vice president of Stop Crime SF.
"We agree that facial recognition technology is a problem and should not be used today, but this technology will improve." and could be a useful tool for public safety if it were used responsibly.We should leave the door open to this possibility. "
The new rules will not apply to security measures at the San Francisco airport or port, as they are managed by federal and non-local agencies.
Some activists have asked in vain that these measures do not apply to the local police. Although San Francisco officers are not using facial recognition technology at present, a number of other US police forces are doing so.
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